Escape vessel with detachable landing

ABSTRACT

A marine evacuation system includes an escape vessel, a conduit adapted to connect the escape vessel to a facility, such as a ship or an offshore platform, and a platform engaged with the escape vessel and the conduit, the platform being removable from the escape vessel to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform. The conduit can enable direct passage of personnel from the facility to the escape vessel, while the platform and conduit can be configured to engage a stabilization system while permitting vertical movement of the platform and escape vessel caused by wave motion. The platform can optionally include movable portions that allow rotation or other horizontal movement of the escape vessel relative to the platform, such as movement caused by severe weather.

FIELD

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate, generally, to escape vessels, such as marine offshore inflatable life rafts, escape and deployment systems incorporating such vessels and associated chutes and landing platforms, and methods of use, and more specifically, to escape systems that include an escape vessel connected to an escape chute via a detachable landing platform to enable direct entry into the vessel and quick detachment after boarding.

BACKGROUND

Inflatable offshore life rafts have been used as a part of marine evacuation systems for some time. In a typical system, a vertical telescoping escape chute connects a deck-mounted frame or container to an open, large-diameter boarding raft, which is deployed to sea level using a winch, and connected to multiple life rafts at sea level using the painter lines of each life raft. Once the system is deployed, personnel must descend through the vertical escape chute to the large-diameter, open boarding raft, then cross-board from the boarding raft, which is open to the elements at sea level, into one of the attached closed-canopy life rafts, which must be pulled to the boarding raft and tied off. As such, use of such a system carries many risks. The open boarding raft provides no protection for personnel, requiring that individuals exit the escape chute and cross-board to life rafts, creating the potential for persons being washed overboard, slipping and falling into the sea, falling between the boarding raft and the life raft, and similar hazards, which can be accentuated by severe weather or unfavorable sea conditions. Personnel then must attempt to pull in the life rafts, which poses a significant hazard in moderate to severe weather, as the rafts are heavy and difficult to recover and tie off. Additionally, by evacuating personnel into multiple life rafts, the crew is dispersed and therefore more difficult to recover.

While it has been recognized that the direct entry of evacuating personnel from the chute into a life raft (e.g., by terminating a chute in the raft) would be a considerably safer alternative, it has not been possible for a raft used in this manner to detach and move away from a hazard. This is due to the fact that while the chute, itself, must terminate in the raft, stabilizing weights for the chute must through the raft floor to provide vertical stabilization on the chute column (e.g., to enable movement of the chute due to swells, wave motion, and other sea conditions).

A need exists for systems that enable both stabilization of an escape chute and detachment of a liferaft therefrom, such as through use of a breakaway external buoyant landing platform for the life raft, enabling the chute and associated stabilizing system to be deployed without interfering with the ability of a raft to detach and move away from a hazard.

A need also exists for systems usable in locations where severe weather occurs with regularity, that allow rotation and/or other movement of a life raft along a horizontal plane, such as through use of a bearing/rotatable assembly (e.g., a counter-rotating hoop assembly).

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure meet these needs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate, generally, to an escape vessel, such as a marine offshore inflatable life raft, that can be engaged to an escape chute (e.g., a vertical escape chute column), such that personnel evacuating from a facility or ship can descend from deck level directly into the life raft, which can then be disconnected from the chute column and float free. In an embodiment, a life raft can be deployed to sea level, the life raft being engaged with a buoyant breakaway landing platform, while an escape chute extends from the deck of the facility or ship being evacuated to the breakaway platform.

As such, as the life raft is lowered, the escape chute is extended. Once the life raft reaches sea level, it can be inflated, e.g., using a painter line thereof, such that as the life raft inflates, it is deployed around the breakaway platform. Once the escape chute is fully extended, personnel can enter the chute (e.g., from the deck of the facility or ship being evacuated), and pass down the chute to directly enter the life raft via the platform. The breakaway platform can then be detached from the life raft, such as through disengagement of quick disconnect pins, enabling the raft to float free of the escape chute and away from a hazard. The escape chute and/or platform can then be recovered for reuse, such as through use of a winch or similar mechanism.

Thus, embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure can provide an escape vessel (e.g., a marine inflatable offshore life raft) that can be integrated directly into a marine evacuation system without the use of a separate boarding raft, through use of a breakaway landing platform, enabling connection of an escape chute (e.g., a telescoping vertical chute), and an associated stabilization system, to the landing platform. For example, while an escape chute can terminate at the life raft, cables and/or associated portions of a stabilizing system can extend through the breakaway platform to below the sea level. Embodied systems can thereby enable evacuating personnel to descend through the chute and directly enter a life raft via the landing platform, removing the requirement to cross-board across an open platform from the boarding raft to the life rafts. Once boarding is complete, a life raft or similar vessel can be easily detached from the platform, while leaving the landing platform, chute and stabilizing system in place for later recovery. For locations where severe weather occurs with regularity, in an embodiment, the landing platform can be configured to enable the life raft to rotate and/or maneuver (e.g., weather vane) around the platform and chute column, such as through use of a counter-rotating hoop assembly, or similar assembly of bearings/rollers and movable parts, such that an escape vessel can move freely under the influence of wind and current in a horizontal plane (e.g., around the platform), while the platform and vessel are able to move freely up and down under the influence of wave action due to the passage of stabilization wires and/or similar components through the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of apparatus consistent with the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a system usable within the scope of the present disclosure that includes an escape vessel, escape chute, and breakaway platform.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagrammatic side view of the system of FIG. 1, showing the escape vessel, escape chute, breakaway platform, and a stabilizing system beneath the water's surface.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict isometric and top views, respectively, of an embodiment of a breakaway landing platform usable within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3C and 3D depict side views of the breakaway landing platform of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 4A depicts a diagrammatic top view of an alternate embodiment of a system usable within the scope of the present disclosure that includes a counter-rotating hoop assembly usable to enable an escape vessel to move along a horizontal plane.

FIG. 4B depicts a diagrammatic side view of the system of FIG. 4A, showing the escape vessel, escape chute, breakaway platform, and a stabilizing system beneath the water's surface.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict isometric, top, and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a counter-rotating hoop assembly usable within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a marine evacuation system usable within the scope of the present disclosure, having an escape vessel and chute in a deployed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate to escape vessels and evacuation systems and methods. A specific embodiment can include an escape vessel (e.g., a SOLAS approved, offshore marine life raft, modified to engage a breakaway landing platform, such as through use of webbing strap connections), a breakaway landing platform (e.g., a rectangular platform constructed from marine-grade high buoyancy materials having bezels at each corner to retain webbing straps for engagement with the escape vessel), chute-retaining clamps to retain a lower end of an escape chute column in engagement with the landing platform, winch cable guides (e.g., one or more 8-inch diameter apertures extending through the breakaway platform to enable stabilization cables of the escape chute to pass through the platform to engage a stabilization member below, such that the platform and/or vessel can move vertically responsive to wave motion); and quick-disconnect securing pins that engage the vessel to the platform.

With reference to FIG. 1, an escape vessel, e.g., a life raft (1) is shown connected to a breakaway landing platform (4), the depicted embodiment being designed primarily for use evacuating from ships and other hull forms, oil and gas facilities located in areas not frequently subject to severe weather, and/or other generally large and/or fixed types of facilities. An engagement section (7) of the life raft (1), having the shape of an inverted U, is shown fabricated in the main body of the raft (1), with webbing straps being usable to connect the raft (1) to each corner (8) of the platform (4). In an embodiment, the life raft (1) can include a high capacity raft, such as a vessel capable of accommodating 150 individuals, though it should be understood that any manner of vessel can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the landing platform (4) can be formed from a highly buoyant material, and can be fitted with chute retaining clamps (9, shown in FIG. 3B) to retain the lower portion of an escape chute (e.g., the lower ring of an escape chute column) in engagement with the platform (4). Other means of engagement between the platform (4) and chute can be used, or in other embodiments, the chute could be integral with the platform (4).

FIG. 2 depicts an escape chute (2) extending, e.g., from the deck of a vessel, platform, or similar facility above, to the life raft (1) below, where the lower end of the chute (2) engages the landing platform (4). Stabilization cables (11) of the chute extend through orifices (10, shown in FIG. 3B) formed in the platform (4) to engage a stabilization system (17) (e.g., tension cans or a similar member) positioned beneath the water's surface.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict isometric and top views, respectively, of an embodiment of the landing platform (4), while FIGS. 3C and 3D depict front and side views thereof, respectively. As described above, multiple chute retaining clamps (9) are shown, usable to retain the escape chute in engagement with the platform (4), while orifices (10) (e.g., three, eight-inch diameter cable tunnels) are formed in the body of the platform (4) to permit stabilization cables (11) of the chute to pass therethrough. The cable tunnels can be designed such that the platform (4) and raft (1) are able to move freely in a vertical direction, as the cables (11) pass through the orifices (10), enabling the platform (4) and raft (1) to withstand wave and/or swell forces. The landing platform (4) is shown having a slotted profile (12) at each corner, adapted to accept webbing straps from the raft (1) such that the raft (1) can be securely but removably engaged with the platform (4). Four vertical pins (13) are shown for connecting webbing straps of the raft to the platform (4), though it should be understood that any means of engagement between the escape vessel and platform (4) could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. When the pins (13) are removed to permit disengagement of the life raft (1) from the platform (4), the life raft (1) can move away from the platform (4), chute (2), the associated facility, and any hazard associated therewith, as indicated by the arrows (6). An exemplary position of the life raft (1) after movement thereof is depicted using a dashed line. In an embodiment, the chute (2) and platform (4) can be recovered for reuse, such as through use of a winch or similar mechanism. While FIGS. 1 through 3D depict an embodiment in which removal of multiple pins (13) separates a platform (4) from a raft (1), it should be readily understood that other embodiments could include a platform that is readily separable from the chute, and that may be retained with the escape vessel. In still other embodiments, one or more portions of the chute could be separable from one-another, or from the facility to be evacuated, to allow movement of the vessel relative to the facility. As such, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3D is intended to be exemplary of a concept that can be practiced in various ways.

An alternate embodiment can be adapted to allow movement of a secured escape vessel along a horizontal plane, e.g., to accommodate for horizontal forces imparted to the vessel and/or platform, such as those caused by inclement weather or similar wind and/or water conditions. Such an embodiment can include an escape vessel (e.g., a SOLAS approved, offshore marine life raft modified to engage a breakaway landing platform, such as through use of webbing strap connections), a breakaway landing platform (e.g., a circular platform constructed from marine-grade high buoyancy materials having a counter-rotating hoop system or similar roller/bearing component to enable a first portion of the platform to rotate relative to a second portion, and retaining rings connected to the counter-rotating system to retain webbing straps for engagement with the escape vessel), chute-retaining clamps to retain a lower end of an escape chute column in engagement with the landing platform, winch cable guides (e.g., one or more 8-inch diameter apertures extending through the breakaway platform to enable stabilization cables of the escape chute to pass through the platform to engage a stabilization member below, such that the platform and/or vessel can move vertically responsive to wave motion); and quick-disconnect securing pins that engage the vessel to the platform.

With reference to FIG. 4A, an escape vessel, e.g., a life raft (14) is shown connected to a breakaway landing platform (15), the depicted embodiment being designed primarily for use evacuating from oil and gas facilities (e.g., semisubmersibles, SPR, TLP, fixed jacket facilities, etc.), located in areas where severe weather and/or high winds/currents occur with regularity. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the life raft (14) includes an engagement region (20), shown as a convex and/or semi-circular section formed in the body thereof, for accommodating the platform (15). The platform (15) is shown including connection regions (22) (e.g., eyes, rings, or similar regions capable of engagement with the raft (14) or an intermediate strap or connector), which can accommodate webbing straps or similar fasteners and/or connectors for engagement with the raft (14). FIG. 4B depicts an escape chute (16) extending, e.g., from the deck of a semisubmersible, platform, or similar facility above, to the life raft (14) below, where the lower end of the chute (16) engages the landing platform (15). Stabilization cables (25) of the chute (16) extend through orifices (24, shown in FIG. 5A) formed in the platform (15) to engage a stabilization system (17) (e.g., tension cans or a similar member) positioned beneath the water's surface.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict isometric, top, and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of the landing platform (15). The depicted platform (15) is shown including a counter-rotating hoop assembly (18), which includes an inner hoop connected to the main body of the platform (15), and to an outer hoop (e.g., using clamps), while the outer hoop is connected to the connection regions (22) that engage the life raft. Bearings, rollers, and/or similar elements between the inner and outer hoops can permit relative rotation between the inner and outer hoops of the hoop assembly (18), as illustrated using arrows (30), such that objects engaged with the outer hoop (e.g., the life raft (14)) can rotate and/or otherwise move along a horizontal plane relative to objects engaged with the inner hoop (e.g., the platform (15) and chute (16)). As such, the life raft (14) can be maneuvered, e.g., due to forces imparted by severe weather, waves, currents, and/or wind, relative to the platform (15), as indicated by the arrows (31) shown in FIG. 4A, allowing the raft (14) to rotate while remaining connected to the platform (15). Exemplary positions of the life raft (14) after rotation thereof are depicted in FIG. 4A using dashed lines.

FIGS. 5A through 5C further show the platform (15) having clamps (23) or similar mechanisms for engaging the escape chute, and multiple orifices (24) (e.g., eight-inch diameter tunnels) through which the chute stabilization cables (25) may pass to engage the stabilization system below the water's surface. The orifices (24) can serve as cable guides such that the platform (15) and/or raft (14) may move vertically due to wave and swell action as the cables (25) pass through the orifices (24). The life raft (14) can be maintained in association with the landing platform (15) via engagement of vertical pins (26) or similar fasteners, with the connection regions (22). The pins (26) can be used, for example, to retain webbing straps of the raft (14) in association with the platform (15). When the pins (26) are removed to permit disengagement of the life raft (14) from the platform (15) the life raft (14) can move away from the platform (15), chute (16), the associated facility, and any hazard associated therewith.

FIG. 6 depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a system usable within the scope of the present disclosure, in reference to which an exemplary evacuation method is discussed. Specifically, FIG. 6 depicts a facility (27) (e.g., a platform, vessel, etc.) having a deck (33) disposed above the surface (34) of the water. When a hazard, severe weather, or similar event occurs that causes evacuation of the facility (27) to be desirable, an escape chute (35) having stabilization members (36) (e.g., tension cans) at a lower end thereof, attached to a breakaway landing platform (28) and a life raft (29), can be deployed (e.g., lowered), until the life raft (29) reaches the surface (34) of the water. FIG. 6 depicts a pneumatic winch (37), with an associated bank of accumulators (38), cables (39), and pulleys (40) usable for this purpose, though it should be understood that any manner of mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, passive, or active device can be used to deploy the chute (35) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, lowering of the chute (35) can cause simultaneous and/or subsequent inflation of the life raft (29). For example, a painter line associated with the raft (29) can be engaged with the stabilization members (36) such that while the life raft (29) remains at the surface (34) further lowering of the stabilization (36) members extends the painter line, thus inflating the raft (29).

Personnel can then enter the escape chute (35) from the deck (33) of the facility (27). In an embodiment, the escape chute (35) can be formed from a close knit material (e.g., Kevlar) with structural stainless steel hoops connected at each cell by high strength Kevlar cables. The chute (35) can further be enclosed with a cover that protects the chute (35) and/or personnel from fire and/or smoke. Once personnel reach the bottom of the chute (35), exiting the chute (35) places the personnel directly into the life raft (29) due to the termination of the chute (35) at the landing platform (28). Once all desired personnel have entered the life raft (29), the pins (e.g., pins (13) or (26), depicted in FIGS. 3A and 5A, respectively) or similar engagement members can be removed and/or disengaged to permit the life raft (29) to move away from the platform (28) while the platform (28) and chute (35) remain in place. The platform (28), chute (35), stabilization members (36), and other associated components can remain in place, and in an embodiment, can be recovered for reuse, such as through use of the winch (37) to return these components to the deck (33).

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure thereby provide individual with direct entry into a single escape vessel, which is then able to detach from a chute and stabilization system and move to a place of safety, generating a significant improvement over use of conventional cross-boarding methods and multiple life rafts. Use of a single, high-capacity escape vessel, made possible through embodiments of the present disclosure, can enable recovery of personnel by emergency responders much more efficiently, as all personnel can be recovered at a single location.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in details and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is determined by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A marine evacuation system comprising: an escape vessel; a conduit adapted to connect the escape vessel to a facility; and a platform engaged with the escape vessel and the conduit, wherein the platform is removable from the escape vessel to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform, the conduit, the facility, or combinations thereof.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the escape vessel comprises an inflatable vessel.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a telescoping chute extendable from the facility to a location remote from the facility.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising at least one stabilization member engaged with the conduit.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one elongate member engaging said at least one stabilization member to the conduit.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the platform comprises at least one orifice formed therein, and wherein said at least one elongate member passes through said at least one orifice to enable relative vertical movement between the platform and said at least one elongate member.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the escape vessel comprises an inflatable vessel and a mechanism for inflating the inflatable vessel engaged with said at least one stabilization member for enabling deployment of said at least one stabilization member to actuate the mechanism to cause inflation of the inflatable vessel.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the escape vessel, the conduit, and the platform are connected and adapted for storage in the facility, and wherein the escape vessel, the conduit, and the platform are deployable as a single unit.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a first member engaged to the conduit and a second member engaged to the escape vessel, and wherein the second member is rotatably movable relative to the first member for enabling horizontal movement of the escape vessel relative to the platform.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the escape vessel comprises a cut-out portion sized to accommodate the platform.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one pin engaging the escape vessel, a fastener connected to the escape vessel, or combinations thereof, to the platform, wherein said at least one pin is adapted for quick removal to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform, the conduit, the facility, or combinations thereof.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a first opening in communication with the facility and a second opening in communication with the escape vessel for enabling direct transport of personnel from the facility to the escape vessel through the conduit.
 13. A method for enabling evacuation of a facility, the method comprising the steps of: extending a conduit from the facility to a remote location, wherein an end of the conduit engages a platform, and wherein an escape vessel is removably engaged with the platform; and disengaging the escape vessel from the platform to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform, the conduit, the facility, or combinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of extending the conduit comprises extending a telescoping chute from the facility to the remote location.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of extending the conduit further comprises deploying at least one stabilization member engaged with the conduit.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of deploying said at least one stabilization member comprises passing at least one elongate member engaged with said at least one stabilization member through an orifice in the platform to enable relative vertical movement between the platform and said at least one elongate member.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of deploying said at least one stabilization member comprises actuating a mechanism engaged with said at least one stabilization member to cause inflation of the escape vessel.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of rotating a first portion of the platform relative to a second portion of the platform thereby moving the escape vessel relative to the platform along a horizontal plane.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of disengaging the escape vessel from the platform comprises removing at least one pin from the escape vessel, a fastener connected to the escape vessel, or combinations thereof, wherein said at least one pin is adapted for quick removal to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform, the conduit, the facility, or combinations thereof.
 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of passing at least one individual through the conduit directly from the facility to the escape vessel. 